Prayer, by the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe, dedicating families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

PRESS RELEASE

14th October 2007

Prayer, by the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe, dedicating families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

The Presidents of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences across Europe met in Fatima, Portugal, on 6 October last. The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Seán Brady, attended this meeting in the role as President of the Irish Bishops’ Conference.

The meeting focused on supporting marriage and family life across Europe. The meeting decided to dedicate families to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with the following prayer:
Prayer of the Presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe,
Entrusting the Church in their care
to the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mary, our blessed Mother,
Watch over the Church in Europe
Which we entrust to your maternal love.
May we be open to the Good News,
Living peacefully in unity and harmony.
Give us the grace to welcome the stranger in need,
And to be generous to the poor,
The homeless and those without work.
May we proclaim with joy the Gospel of hope.

Mary, blessed among all women,
You embraced the will of the Father.
To your heart we dedicate our families
And our young people,
Those who are growing old,
And the frail in mind and body and those who are sick.
We ask you to console all those who suffer,
are wounded and broken.
Open every heart to Jesus your Son.

Mary, ever Virgin,
To you we commend the Church in Europe.
May we be transformed by the Holy Spirit,
To become witnesses to the holiness of life,
Stewards of God’s creation,
Ambassadors for peace and reconciliation
And faithful servants of Jesus Christ
Who consecrated himself to the Father,
Giving his life to take away our sin
And opening the way to eternal life.